'Voiced concern over social media addiction': 27-year-old YouTuber held for slitting father’s throat

RAIPUR: In a disturbing incident coming on the heels of the horrific triple suicide of Ghaziabad siblings, after their parents objected to their fixation with gaming and took away their smartphones, a 27-year-old YouTuber allegedly slit her father's throat while he was asleep, after he voiced his misgivings over his content creation and social media addiction.

The incident marked a bloody culmination of a bitter family feud that had simmered for years in a quiet Korba village, in the early hours of Tuesday.According to the police, there was also a running dispute over land and property that possibly drove the woman YouTuber into committing the violent crime. The grisly incident unfolded at Raliya village in Hardi Bazar of Chhattisgarh's Korba district, sending shockwaves across the area.The accused, Geeta Kevat (27), was arrested for the murder of her father, Ashok Kumar Kevat (55). Police said the killing was the culmination of long-standing domestic tensions, marked by accusations, estrangement and public humiliation.Ashok had been living alone while his wife and three daughters were residing separately for nearly eight years. According to police and relatives, frequent quarrels and Ashok's alleged habit of picking up fights with his wife and daughters had fractured the family.

Two of the daughters were employed with private companies, while one was pursuing studies. Geeta, the eldest, was active on social media and ran a YouTube channel, often speaking on subjects considered socially sensitive.According to investigating officers, Ashok disapproved of her fixation with social media platforms and questioned her presence online, leading to persistent friction.On February 9, Ashok's wife and daughters had come to the village in connection with land compensation matters and were staying there. Around 2 am on Tuesday, an argument reportedly broke out between Ashok and Geeta when she was working for her channel. During the altercation, Ashok allegedly used abusive language against his daughter. What followed was a brutal act of violence.She picked up a sickle and slashed his jaw, neck and other parts of the body, killing him on the spot.After the killing, Geeta allegedly walked out and informed relatives that she had murdered her father.Hardi Bazar station in-charge Pramod Dadsena said police reached the spot immediately after being informed of the crime and took Geeta into custody on the basis of preliminary evidence. The mortal remains of her father were sent for post-mortem and later handed over to the family.ASP Lakhan Patle said initial investigations indicate that Ashok was a ‘habitual drinker', who often behaved aggressively under the influence of alcohol. Police are continuing their investigation to establish the exact sequence of events and determine whether other factors contributed to the killing.